Habitat Restoration Field Intern

ABOUT US

Riverkeeper is New York’s premier water quality advocate. Established in 1966, Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law.  With an annual operating budget of $4.5 million, Riverkeeper is a mid-sized not-for profit operating in the Hudson Valley. This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging environmental leader seeking a fast-paced internship at an organization doing impactful work. For more information, visit www.riverkeeper.org.

TITLE:                          Habitat Restoration Field Intern

DEPARTMENT:            Habitat Restoration

REPORTS TO:             Habitat Restoration Manager

SALARY:                      $15 - $18 per hour

DURATION:                 5/12/2025-7/3/2025

SCHEDULE:                 Full-time; with flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends

LOCATION:                  Kingston, NY - This internship is hybrid as much of the work is field-based but will require some work-site presence either in the lab in Kingston, or the headquarters in Ossining, NY.

 POSITION SUMMARY

The Habitat Restoration Field Intern supports Riverkeeper’s Habitat Restoration Team to restore aquatic habitat integrity in the Hudson River Watershed. This role focuses on restoring, revitalizing, and enhancing habitat for highly migratory species whose life-history patterns depend upon access to Hudson River tributaries. The intern is responsible for assisting with a range of activities that will include fisheries sampling and monitoring, fish identification, water quality monitoring, community outreach and other activities related to habitat restoration within the Hudson River drainage.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

(This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.)

●      Utilize field experience and skillset to:

○      Help monitor and assess habitat integrity and quality

○      Assist in the collection of biological data using various aquatic sampling methods (e.g., electrofishing, seining, macro-invertebrate sampling, fish identification, water quality monitoring)

●      Assist Habitat Restoration Manager with:

o   collecting, organizing and analyzing data

○      generating ArcGIS maps to showcase relevant findings and information;

●      Support Habitat Team with:

○      tree plantings, invasive plant removals, and other habitat restoration activities;

○      outreach events as needed to promote community awareness and generate support for improving aquatic connectivity;

●      Regularly travel throughout the Hudson Valley (evening and occasional weekends will be required);

EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

Research shows that women and people from under-represented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Required Qualifications

●      Recently completed or in the process of obtaining an Associate or Bachelor degree in fisheries, wildlife or environmental sciences;

●      Relevant coursework or experience with electrofishing, fisheries techniques, fish identification, or stream assessment or monitoring.

●      Ability to follow prescribed safety protocols (e.g. sampling equipment, proximity to hazardous conditions)

●      Tolerance of difficult field conditions, including the willingness to work asynchronous hours in the field according to seasonal and diurnal movements of fish, tides, etc., as needed;

●      Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

●      Computer proficiency: Google Suite; Microsoft Suite

●      Solid organizational skills;

Desired Qualifications

●      Experience collecting biological field data;

○      Examples: Electrofishing, seining, fish ID, macro-invertebrate sampling

●      Knowledge of:

○      water quality parameters and proficiency in using water quality instruments;

○      diadromous species

●      Understanding of aquatic ecosystems;

●      Familiarity with:

○      the Hudson Valley;

○      with fish passage systems

○      ArcMap software

●      Passionate interest in conservation-related issues;

●      Self-motivated and dedicated;